Julius Croker

Julius Lewis Crocker, 85, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, died Monday, February 22, 2010.

Born on June 25, 1924, in Spartanburg, S.C., he was the son of the late Lewis and Mary Etolia Craig Crocker. He was a graduate of Mars Hill Jr. College and Clemson University, class of 1950. He served the community around as Commissioner of Columbia Zoological Park/Riverbank, member of Toastmasters International, serves as Deacon for North Trenholm Baptist Church and was a lifetime member of the State Agriculture and Mechanical Society of South Carolina. He worked for Purina, IDS and the Richland County Building/Planning/Zoning Department before retiring as a Zoning Consultant. However, the focus of his life and largest source of interest and enjoyment was always his family and their activities.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Billie C. Crocker, Jefferson; children, Lynne C. Pharris, Norcross, Bruce W. Crocker, Jefferson, David L. Crocker, Lexington, S.C.; brother, Forrest J. Crocker; grandchildren, Jessica A. Peterson, Jesse C. Woodward IV, Chandler L. Crocker, Chelsea N. Crocker, C. McKenzie Crocker, Dylan R. Crocker and Forrest L. Crocker; great-grandchildren, Alex J. Woodward and Joshua C. Woodward.

Memorial services will be held Wednesday, February 24, at 2 p.m., in the First Baptist Church of Winder, with a visitation to follow. A second memorial service will be held Friday, February 26, at 2 p.m. in the First Baptist Church in Fountain Inn, S.C., with a visitation to follow. The family plans for burial in Arlington National Cemetery to honor his life’s military service during World War II.

He was a kind and gentle man who never met a stranger. He never saw a child that he did not instantly love. The number of people whose life that he touched are immeasurable. As a young man, he served God and country with honor and distinction. We shall miss him, we shall celebrate his life and in a time honored tradition, wish him fair winds and following seas!

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a memorial to Alzheimer’s Care of Commerce, 200 Bolton Dr., Commerce, GA 30529.

Evans Funeral Home,